Devotion to the Holy Martyrs has always been a distinctive mark of the Christian faithful. From the earliest ages of the Church until the present their witness to Christ has inspired believers to honor their tombs and to trust in the power of their prayers before the throne of God. The catacombs attest to this in ancient times, and in our own time John Paul II named the century just passed a “century of martyrs.” Let us go to them then with confidence praying for all the Church in need throughout the world and for our own needs at home.

St. Lawrence was the protodeacon of the Roman Church, an important office of the Holy See in the days of the ancient Church. He was charged with the maintenance of the Church’s temporal goods and with the distribution of alms to the poor of the City, and with their instruction in the faith. When the authorities tried to obtain from him the riches of the Church, he gathered together the poor and declared them to be the Church’s riches. He was savagely roasted to death, and all the while retained his peace and good humor. His feast in the Roman rite is August 10th .

Prayer to St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

O Generous patron of the Church’s poor, St. Lawrence, pray to the One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit that all the poor of the Church in need in every corner of the world may feel the effect of the love of their brothers and sisters who seek to help them.

Deliver the Church from the greed and envy of the powerful and protect her rights and property so that she may serve the needy in freedom, giving them good things for soul and body.

May we come some day with all those whom we helped on earth to the bright mansions of heaven where we will enjoy the riches of God’s house and the company of the Savior who lives and reigns forever and ever.